Steamboat Pilot & Today: Reducing wildfire risk
With wildfire season upon us, we were pleased to learn that Routt County has a new weapon in its arsenal of firefighting tools.
Routt County Emergency Management Director Mo DeMorat announced last week the Civil Air Patrol’s Colorado Wing, which is an auxiliary arm of the U.S. Air Force, will be supplying the county with fire watch support and providing information and guidance to local firefighting crews dispatched to fight fires in remote areas this fire season.
DeMorat, who has done a stellar job for the county since his hiring in February 2017, explained that Civil Air Patrol would be used in the case of larger wildfires that are spreading. Pilots could fly over the fire and identify hot spots before they get out of control.
Auditors, Denver City Council mince words regarding spending policy
Deborah Grigsby
deborah.smith@denvergazette.com
Updated 48 minutes ago
Denver’s councilmembers continue to give city funds to local organizations using a process lacking clarity and accountability, weakened by inconsistent terminology and legal opinions around donations, sponsorships and grants, according to city auditors. City Council officials countered that no definitions...
Colorado’s Michael Bennet rode outrage over last government shutdown to presidential bid | TRAIL MIX
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 hours ago
Only weeks after the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history ended with congressional Democrats’ demands to restore health care funding previously cut by Republicans left dangling, the high-stakes standoff that dominated political news for 43 days has already receded...
Panel member ejected from one judge’s discipline case, as second judge challenges protocols in his proceeding
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 3 hours ago
One member of a panel adjudicating the misconduct allegations against a county court judge has been replaced due to her alleged non-responsiveness, at the same time a different county court judge is objecting to the intended protocols in his own...
Colorado justices ponder scope of law curbing insurers’ ability to allege failure to cooperate
Michael Karlik
michael.karlik@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 4 hours ago
Members of the Colorado Supreme Court pondered a question last week that could have sweeping ramifications for those making insurance claims: When the legislature required insurance companies to take certain steps before accusing policyholders of failing to cooperate in an...
Tina Peters will remain in state custody, Colorado corrections agency says
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 6 hours ago
Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters will remain in state custody amid a push by the federal corrections department to transfer her to its jurisdiction, the Colorado Department of Corrections said Tuesday. The Colorado agency does not have any plans...
Jason Crow rips Pentagon probe into Mark Kelly over video urging troops to refuse ‘illegal orders’
Ernest Luning
ernest.luning@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow on Monday accused President Donald Trump of trying to incite violence and intimidate critics after the Pentagon announced an investigation into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly’s participation in a video produced with Crow and other Democratic...
Aurora court to hold warrant amnesty week for non-violent defenders
Kyla Pearce
kyla.pearce@gazette.com
Updated 9 hours ago
Aurora court officials are holding Fresh Start Week at the beginning of December, when people with certain non-violent active warrants can get them cleared without arrest by showing up at walk-in court. Aurora Fresh Start Week will happen from Dec....
Jeff Davis out as head of Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
Mere days after being turned down by Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife for wolves, Jeff Davis, who has led Colorado Parks and Wildlife since May 2023, is out. An announcement from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources said Davis...
Denver court rules strip club entertainers are employees
Deborah Grigsby
deborah.smith@denvergazette.com
Updated 8 hours ago
A Denver District Court ruled last week that strip club entertainers are employees and have protections under the City’s wage and employment laws. The ruling upholds a hearing officer’s earlier determinations involving an investigation by the office of City Auditor...
Arapahoe County seeks holiday gift donations for families in need
Kyla Pearce
kyla.pearce@gazette.com
Updated 9 hours ago
Arapahoe County Human Services is seeking holiday gift donations for kids and adults facing financial hardship as part of the county’s Partnering for the Holidays program. Human Services is accepting new, unwrapped gifts through Dec. 4. Donated gifts will be...